What To Do About Restless Leg Syndrome

Restless Leg Syndrome is something that many people across the country deal with every day. For some, it is characterized by a slight stinging or tingling sensation throughout their legs. For others, it is a dull pain that becomes distracting and increasingly painful throughout the day. Although symptoms of Restless Leg Syndrome can be experienced throughout the day, it is most common that symptoms become worst at night, thus making it extremely difficult for someone with Restless Leg Syndrome to relax, fall asleep, and get a full and restful night of sleep. While some medications have been developed to treat Restless Leg Syndrome, it is not a life threatening disease, and can be treated fairly easily in the home.

Work Out

Movement has been proven to be extremely helpful for relieving symptoms of Restless Leg Syndrome, so working out during the day and making sure that you’re getting some kind of exercise daily can alleviate symptoms.

In addition, wearing out your legs by working out during the day will cause both your legs and the rest of your body to be exhausted by the time you go to bed, helping you feel relaxed and ready for sleep as soon as you hit the pillow.

Heat

For some people with Restless Leg Syndrome, heat is a good way to relax your muscles and become more relaxed before going to bed. Similarly, getting a massage may relax leg muscles enough to calm any pain or sensation that may become more intense at night.

Cold

Conversely, using ice packs can sometimes be helpful for people with Restless Leg Syndrome because ice numbs the feelings from the muscles in the legs. However, cold may also be shocking to your nerves, and a cold shock to your nerves may make it even harder to sleep.

Muscle Creams

Muscle creams such as Icy-Hot and Bengay may also be helpful for people with Restless Leg Syndrome. Massaging these creams onto muscles is similar to going through a heat and ice cycle, which relaxes muscles. However, be careful when using these creams, because they stimulate nerves and may worsen symptoms of Restless Leg Syndrome.

Sleep Aids

For some, symptoms of Restless Leg Syndrome don’t necessarily need to be treated in order for the individual to sleep. Many times, a sleep aid such as chamomile tea or lavender aromatherapy can be helpful in sleeping even when you’re feeling symptoms of your Restless Leg Syndrome.

Diet

It’s important in general to have a healthy diet in order to promote a healthy lifestyle across the board, but eating healthy can also ensure that you don’t struggle when trying to fall asleep. Avoid eating too much sugar or consuming too much caffeine throughout the day, as these things can keep you up at night and force you to focus on the jitters and pains in your legs.

Routine

If you create a routine out of bedtime, your body will understand that at a certain time during the day, it’s supposed to sleep. In addition to going to bed on a very comfortable and high quality mattress, such as the ones form lull, at the same time every night, do the same things before you go to bed in the same order, such as shower, lotion, brush your teeth.

Do Mental Activities

Another way to relax your bod is to exhaust your mind. Try doing puzzles in bed like Sudoku or crosswords to tire out your mind. Reading may also work, just so long as it demands work of your mind until you’re tired enough to sleep.

Have Sex

Although it isn’t clear to doctors why sexual activity can be helpful to people experiencing symptoms of Restless Leg Syndrome, many people who suffer from the disease swear that it is helpful. It may be the physical exertion or the release, but no matter the reason behind it, it seems to be effective for many.

About the author:

Kate Stefanski, a freelance writer, enjoys her sleep and shares tips and insights into getting the best night’s sleep. If you would like to learn more about Kate, you can check out her google+ profile.

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